A Case of the Mondays: Post-Frenzy Edition
By the time the ink had dried on the last contract signed on the opening day of NHL free agency, what was old was new again for Flames with the additions of Alex Tanguay and Olli Jokinen, and although Darryl Sutter will tell you otherwise, reaction to the latter signing has run the gamut from measured to puzzled to completely outraged, and has hardly been positive on most Flames-related blogs and many media outlets. The GM did shed a little light on the reasons behind his courting of Jokinen on Friday, however, when he revealed that Daymond Langkow is behind on his recovery from a neck injury sustained in late March.
Sutter also claimed that discussions with Craig Conroy, undoubtably the team's second-best and most affordable option to play tough minutes at centre behind Langkow, are ongoing. With $1.15M in cap space remaining after Thursday's signings of Tanguay and Jokinen along with enforcers Ivanans and Jackman and the news that Ian White has filed for salary arbitration, there is still the potential for movement, as the team has yet to find a solution for Ales Kotalik after he cleared waivers, has an excess of defencemen at their disposal, and is still lacking in the forward department after losing Dawes (buyout), and Higgins, Nystrom, and Mayers all to free agency. With few options on the farm and the free agent market thinning out daily, Sutter would certainly be best to make quick work of things.
Links after the jump.
Kent takes a look at the ramifications of the Flames' recent transactions [FlamesNation] and reacts to the news of White's impending arbitration hearing
WI shares her perspective on the state of the Flames [Hit the Post]
Arik reacts to the Flames' additions [4th Line Blog]
Six of the best free agents remaining on the market, including the Flames' Ian White [Puck Daddy]
Arik reacts to the Jokinen signing and some comparable contracts signed on July 1 [4th Line Blog]
Iconic tough guy Bob Probert passed away this afternoon after collapsing on his boat and being rushed to hospital. His family is expected to release a statement this evening [The Windsor Star]
Ilya Kovalchuk was expected to make his long-awaited decision on which team will overpay for his services today, and it was rumoured that the Devils were the favourites to re-sign the Russian sniper, having offered him a $60M/7-year contract [New York Post]
The Red Wings are reportedly going hard after Mike Modano. Because they need to get older? [Crash the Crease]
Jason Jaffray reacts to being traded to the Ducks [The Abbotsford News]
Former Windsor Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner officially joined the Columbus Blue Jacket's coaching staff today [Kukla's Korner]
A complete list of the players going to salary arbitration, including Chicago's Antti Niemi [Puck Daddy]
First overall pick Taylor Hall signed a three-year entry level deal with the Oilers today [Oilers]
A beautiful article by Bruce Arthur on Brian Burke and his continuing dedication to his late son Brendan [The National Post]
Former Flames farm hand David Van der Gulik is now a member of the Colorado Avalanche after not being re-signed by the Flames this summer [Avalanche]
Lastly, I hope those that made it out to Five Hole For Food's event in Calgary today had a wonderful time and managed to contribute a donation to the Calgary Food Bank. Unfortunately I was unable to make it, but the Flames fans team was probably better off without me.
I hope you are all recovering nicely from celebrating your nation(s) birthdays this long weekend, and have a great week!
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Make room for White
Unless Sutter decides to take a complete bath on the Phaneuf trade then White must be signed. A positive of the trade was White, it should have been White and a first round pick for Phaneuf. Stajan was signed and given a raise? Why not White? We all saw the arbitration coming when White was offered 10% above salary to keep him in the fold. Toronto knew he was in line for a big raise. He will probably jump to 2.0 or 2.5 million, geez thats good money for anyone, it could go higher. For morale its better to offer a long-term contract, but Sutter only does two-year deals now, except for his own contract. Meanwhile Kurtis Foster was had by Edmonton of 1.7 mill, that would have been a nice free agent signing.
I’m not bashing Sutter, but he’s a bit stubborn, making Jokinen a priority before White because the Farm talent has foreclosed, no high draft picks, and Langkow is on the mend. Please get better Langkow-you are the no.1 centre. I firmly try and believe that Jokinen will resurrect his career, at least I try to for solace on that deal. Make a trade, make room for White! How about Kotalik to NYR for Prust? Sather already has his cornerstone Boogard. Throw in Staios. Keep Sarich, bring Pelech up. We missed the boat not grabbing Foster, a former Flames pick. Now I’m in a bad mood. But hey, I don’t have to sit in Sutter’s chair-maybe he’ll bring up his nephew and try and make him into a defencemen.
2 year deals
The 2 year deals are on the guys that only have 2 years left of (semi) productive hockey left. He has Stajan on 4 years, Bourque for 6 and Bouw in year 2 of 5. Bourque will be 34 when his expires – the other guys only 30. I would rather him err on the side of short contracts than these 10 -13 year behemoths that saddle you with a big cap hit for guys as they hit 40.
I think we all agree on White – he needs to be there and will play in the top 4 with Gio, Bouw and Regehr. The problem currently is #5 and #6 defensemen will make more than he will. I’m hoping he signs a 3 year deal – maybe close to $8 million and that gives him one crack at UFA status in his prime.
“Flames sign F Ryan Stone”: http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326787
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Who, besides Jokinen?
I think Daryl is right in thinking that the Flames needed another veteran centre, in case Langkow is injured long-term.
His solution was Jokinen @ $3M.
Who else was/is available instead of Jokinen that he could’ve brought in?
I’d look it up myself, but I don’t have the time or inclination.
Lombardi – who signed for $3.5 per for 3 years in Nashville
Matt Cullen – signed in Minny same deal as Lombo’s – stats similar to Jokinen – better defensive guy.
Mike Comrie could be had for much less
Rob Nidermayer ( another ex flamer) just signed for a million
Brendan Morrisson – though he and Nieds are older.
Kyle Wellwood – if you think you can compensate for his lack of speed.
Mike Modano – if all you want is speed !
Lombardi – 50 points;
Matt Cullen – 50 points;
Mike Comrie – 50 points if he makes it through a full season, which is doubtful (injury prone);
Rob Niedermayer – 20 points;
Brendan Morrisson – 40 points but injury prone also;
Kyle Wellwood – 40 points but injury prone also (and a Leaf/Canuck so tainted);
Mike Modano – 50… years old! Also saying its Detroit or bust so Flames are out.
Hmm… Maybe Joker @ $3M isn’t so bad, except that it is. Anywhere but Calgary and his signing seems like a good deal.
Perhaps Matt Cullen would have been the best choice, similar production and similar dollars, but not an ex-Flame like Joker or Lombo.
point predictions
I think you are very close on most of those – except for Comrie – I think he’s about done. He should take his honeymoon with the Duff to Europe – play for the Salzburg Red Bulls so Hilary can play Maria everyday in a theatrical “The Sound of Music”.
As far a Joker goes – I think his production will be about the same as Cullen and Lombo – so all close to even I’d say.

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